By Samwel Doe Ouma

Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)- the state agency that regulates medicines, pharmacies, pharmacy professionals’, and health products and Technologies in Kenya- said it arrested 95 people and shut down 48 unlicensed pharmaceutical outlets during a weeklong enforcement operation targeting illegal drug sellers and outlets in Nairobi and neighboring Kajiado County.

According to PPB, the surveillance exercise, which ended June 19, 2026, inspected 155 premises across informal settlements including Kibra, Korogocho, Eastleigh, Dandora, Mathare, Embakasi, Nairobi West and Rongai, the regulator said.

Julius Kaluai, head of Good Distribution Practices and Enforcement at the PPB, said those arrested were being prosecuted in courts including Kibra, Makadara and Kajiado.

“Within those 155 premises, 95 did not comply, and therefore they were arrested and will be produced in court,” Kaluai said.

He said that 48 premises found in violation were issued closure notices and flagged to county governments and security agencies to prevent them from reopening.

“The letters are similarly copied to respective county commanders and county governments to ensure the premises are permanently closed,” he said.

Authorities also confiscated about 169 cartons of medicines from the illegal outlets. The drugs are being held pending court approval for disposal.

Kaluai urged pharmacists to comply with licensing requirements, warning that violations could lead to disciplinary action, including revocation of licenses.

He also cautioned the public against buying medicines from unregistered outlets, saying licensed pharmacies are required by law to display their registration certificates clearly.

The PPB said it is stepping up public awareness campaigns and has established reporting channels to improve surveillance and compliance in the pharmaceutical sector.